Building Ban In Elmwood Center?

Town's Attorney Looking Into Issue

Daniela Altimari

Courant Staff Writer

October 16, 1997

WEST HARTFORD — Should the town place a temporary ban on new development in Elmwood's center?

Some members of the town council think it might be a good idea. They assert that a temporary moratorium would give community leaders time to implement a series of sweeping changes suggested by a study group.

But others aren't so sure. The council agreed to ask Corporation Counsel Marjorie Wilder to research the question.

Council member Liz Gillette, a Republican who drafted the resolution proposing the ban, said she wanted to ``send a message from the council that we respect the process of planning for Elmwood.''

For several months, residents of Elmwood have been pondering the future of their community. With the assistance of an architect, the group has been working on ways to prevent sprawl and preserve the rich commercial and residential mix in the compact, walkable neighborhood. At the same time, it is seeking solutions to traffic snarls on New Britain Avenue. Ultimately, the group intends to write its ideals into the town's zoning rules.

The process began in January, after the council rejected a supermarket chain's bid to convert the old Talcott Junior High School building into a large grocery store.

Shaw's Supermarkets still owns the property and some worry that it will develop the site before the Elmwood plan is finished.

At Tuesday's council meeting, several residents expressed their support for the moratorium. Dennis Lazor of St. Charles Street chided the council's Democratic majority, saying it has let other studies collect dust and urged it not to do the same with the Elmwood project.

Members of West Hartford Vision, a community group that seeks to promote thoughtful development, also supported the temporary ban.

Democrat Sandy Klebanoff said she resented any attempt to politicize the issue. ``I find comments regarding support or lack of support for a particular resolution based on politics to be a bit offensive,'' she said.

Klebanoff and other Democrats said they have ``serious questions'' about the legality of a moratorium.

Wilder will research the issue. She said she hopes to report her findings to the council later this month.